Quote:
Originally Posted by Sliver
I don't hate new cars. I hate watching people put themselves in compromising financial positions when they don't need to. I also like to help people. I also like educating people on how they can have exactly what they want for half the price of new. It feels good to get what you want and keep tens of thousands of dollars that some other guy would have spent.
Like buying a new RAV, for example. In my opinion somebody buying a brand new RAV has likely wasted $15K or so versus a model a couple of years old that is basically the same thing. I'd have preferred to see them use that money to put into their retirement savings so it would have been $50,000 when they're 65. Then that person could retire 18 months earlier or take a couple of exotic vacations in their retirement that now they won't be able to take. When they are that age, that RAV4 will be a new refrigerator or something as it will have rusted out and been recycled long ago.
^ That's not because I hate new cars. Being a car guy is one of the ways I define myself. I just think most people who get excited about financing and leasing rates are also the same people that should be spending less on cars. If you are wealthy enough that my advice doesn't apply to you, then you probably already know that and you can just ignore it.
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Echoing other opinions on this thread, I like new cars for the peace of mind of having warranty, and the fact that I have something new. I know not everyone shares that opinion with me, however this is my mindset and how I purchase cars. All that being said, I respect those who are of the opinion that cars are a waste of money, and that it's simply a vehicle to get from point A to point B. I am not in that boat, as I absolutely love driving, and love to drive something that I enjoy being in. If I spending time in a vehicle for as long as I do on a daily basis, I want to be in something I enjoy. I don't expect everyone to understand this.
I am well aware of the depreciating value of a car, and while I appreciate the advice on fiscal responsibility, I think I'm capable of making fiscal decisions on my own. I am a fiscally responsible person, and my wife even more so. Just because we are buying a new car doesn't mean we're making financially irresponsible decisions. We're not wealthy, but we make enough to a live a life that we're both proud of. This is a thread regarding thoughts on new cars.
All this being said, this vehicle I plan to buy is to be a 10 year car for my wife, for our future kids, and for the safety and peace of mind I will have knowing that she (and them) will be safer on the road (Please don't go into the tangent about other drivers etc, as I am aware).
To each their own.
Back on topic, there are plenty of dealers right now offering massive rebates or even 0% financing. Mazda is one of those with the 2013 CX5, which is a big reason why we're going this route.